Manifolding and numbering device



Feb. 27, 1923.

J. Q. SHERMAN MANIFOLDING AND NUMBERING DEYICE Filed Dec 2l, 1920 Aran/Veys.

Patented Feb. 27, 1923.

PATENT -oFFicE.

JOHN o. SHERMAN, lor DAY'roN, oHIo.

Application filed December 21, 1920. Serial No. 432,356.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, JOHN Q. SHERMAN, citizen of the United States, and resident of Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Manifolding and Numbering Devices, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference b'ein had to the drawings, formin part of this specification.

I/Iy invention relates to devices for numbering the forms that pass over the writing table of a manifolding machine, having a paper feeding mechanism.

The usual practice in manifoldingV registers and other manifolding machines wherein the object is to produce a plurality of copies of printed forms filled in with the desired notations, has been to number the 2o forms which make up the paper webs in consecutive order, and arrange the paper so that the duplicate copies are numbered the same as the original.

The diiculty with this method of numbering in instances where consecutive num- -bers are of essential importance, is that the production of numbered forms in large printing presses does not always produce 'a' perfect result, because of jumping of numbers, which happens occasionally, and destruction of certain numbered forms in the process of printing and rolling, and the im proper numbering of eXtra checks used for splicing broken rolls, at the time of manufacture.

Another difiiculty With the prior numbering of the forms is that there is no chance of starting the numbering over again after so many thousands or hundreds have been issued.

Thus the object of this invention is to produce a numbering device, attached to or built into a manifolding machine, which will co-operate with the operations of the machine in such a way as to consecutively number the individual forms. In this connection I desire to provide interlocking mechanism which prevents the printing of more than one numeral on any one form,

and prevents the operation of the paper feeding devices or some other essential part of the manifolding mechanism until the numbering has actually been done.

It is also my object to provide adequate carbon paper renewal, particularly for the numbering devices, so as to insure proper clearness to the numbers, and accordingly I provide an automatic carbon paper renewal device in connection with the paper feeding mechanisms.

The particular method of construction of my numbering devices, and their operation not only insure against more than one number on a form, but also permits stamping the same number several times on the same form in the same place, with a result of making the impression doubly clear, should thisbecome necessary.

The above objects and "advantages and other features to be noted I accomplish by that certain construction and arran ement of parts to be hereinafter more specifically pointed out and claimed.

In the drawings,

Figure l is a detail side elevation showing the mechanism 0f paper feeding and numbering, as employed according to the preferred form of my invention.

Figure 2 is a detail plan and elevation of the feed handle stop. operating lever, of which the action enforces a movement of the numbering device in order to free the handle.

Figure 3 is a detail elevation of another form of paper feed stop co-operating with the numbering devices.

Figure 4 is a detail elevation of the trip bar for the paper feed stop mechanism shown in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a detail elevation of the automatic carbon paper renewing device.

Figure 6 is a detail section on the line 6-6 of Figure 1.

I have shown in the drawings the feeding end of a manifolding device, although it will be understood that I do not wish to limit the application of my invention to such machines alone. There is shown the paper feed rotary member 1, carrying at least. one aligning pin 2, to co-operate with perforations preferably set at the heads of the forms printed on the webs of paper used.

I show the idler rolls 3, 3, over which pass the webs of paper 4, and the cover 5, of a manifolding device, which exposes the webs for receiving impressions such as may bemade on the topmost web. The webs pass over a tablet or plate 6, and above the rotary feed member, I show a tension or pressure roll 7, mounted' to sllde under spring pressure in a housing 8, the latter bein part of the top or cover 5. Y

ithout going into the details of the paper feeding device or their method of op! eration it will be noted that the mechanism adopted in this construction is that shown and described in the application of myself and Albert l/V. Metzner, Serial No. 433,208, tiled December 27, 1920. lIn the present feeding device there is employed a feed handle 9, which revolves a feed shaft 10, and at each complete rotation of the feed shaft by the handle, one full length printed form of each web of paper in the machine is fed forward, by frictional grasp of the paper between the rotary feeding devices and the tension roll. At the conclusionof each feed, the friction feed becomes inoperative and a pin or pins 2 enter holes formed in the forms, usually at the head of each form,

' these pins acting to feed the webs a short distance and simultaneously align them while they are free from friction.

Mounted in a casing 11, which may be secured to the side frame of the machine and straddles an opening 12 in the cover, or which may be built into the cover of the machine, as desired, is a sliding block 13, carrying a progressive numbering device 14, which has an operating ratchet 15, by means of which the numbers are progressively changed. The whole block is kept upwardly in the casing by means of a spring 16, and is depressed by a plunger 17, having a head 18 of suitable dimension.

The movement of this block acts to release the feed handle or the feed shaft so that they can be actuated to accomplish a. feeding out of the machine of a set of forms.

For this purpose, one form of device illustrated by me comprises a bar 19 dependingr from the block, which bar strikes a sliding bar 20, held in a guide or bracket 2l on the side of the machine. This bar 2() is pivoted at 22 to a lever 23, that controls the feed handle stop, and when the sliding block is depressed the bar 20 is moved downwardly by thrust of the end of the bar 19 which oarries a roller 24 to prevent friction.

As the bar 2O moves downwardly it is caught and held by a stop 25, which forms part of a sliding piece 26, under control of a spring 27, which is attached to the guide plate 28 in which said piece slides.

As t-he lever 23 is moved down, swinging on its pivot 29, it moves out of the way of the feed handle a. stop pin 30, which normally lies directly in the path of said handle. It will be noted of this stop pin that it is mounted `slidably in a housing 31 on the frame of the machine,vand has an end 32, which lies in a slot 33 in the lever 23. This slot lies through a protuberance on the side of the lever 23, so that as the lever is depressed the pin 30 is drawn inwardly., The housing 31 contains a spring 34, which maintains the stop pin normally in the path of the handle, or of some suitable lug on the inner face of the handle, as shown at 35.

Thus it requires a movement of the numbering device to release the paper feed handle for operation, but when the said numbering device is depressed, the handle releasing device stays in an otl' position, so that the operator needs merely to tap the numbering device down, and then revolve the handle.

As soon as the handle is started on its motion, a roller 36 mounted on one of the rotary feed elements, strikes the shoulder 37 formed on thev inside of the sliding piece 26 thereby releasing the sliding bar 20, and permitting the devices, that hold the stop pin, to release it. Thus the lever 23 is pulled upwardly by a spring 38, as soon as the bar 20 is freed for upward movement, and the spring of the stop pin will then force its end outwardly into the path of the feed handle.

As the feed progresses the roller 36 actuates a device for revolving the numbering disks through a single step, thereby changing the number. On a stud 39 on the frame of the machine is a lever 40, which has its outer end in the path of the roller 36. The inner end of this lever carries a pawl piece 41 which is spring-held at 42 so that it bears against a small guide piece 43 on the fra-me. the lever 40 having likewise a spring 44, which keeps the inner end thereof normally downward. l

When the pawl piece is moved upwardly by the roller 36 striking the end of the lever 40, it will slide into mesh with the ratchet of the numbering device and revolve it through one step. As soon as the lever 40 falls again, due to the roller passing it in the courseof the feeding operation, the pawl piece will move out of line with the numbering device, so that it may be depressed without accomplishing any movement of the ratchet.

Instead of providing the numbering device with a control of the feed handle stop, I may provide a feed sha-ft lock under control of the numbering device, which is entirely inaccessible fromthe operator, this device being less easy to tamper with.

Thus on the paper feed shaft I mount a cam 45, (Figure 3) and provide a lever 46. which is pivoted on the machine frame and has its outer end in the path of the bar 19 on the numbering slide block. The inner end of this lever is equipped with a hook 47 which engages the nose of the cam at the end of each feeding operation. A spring 48 holds this lever up against a stop 49, there y permitting the pawl piece to ride easily out of ratchet operating position.

Furthermore the pivotal mounting of the lever is by means of a slotted portion thereof, riding over a roller 46 on the frame, whence `the release of the hooked end will result in a retraction of the lever on its slotted mounting, thereby clearing the cam nose.

It will be noted that aside from the interlocking mechanisms, the locating of a numbering device in a position adjacent the 'head of the tablet opening is a convenience of considerable value.

In order to provide an automatic feed for carbon paper I have adopted the following mechanism, which is simple and convenient of use and installation.

The carbon paper is brought from the roll illustrated in Figure 1, into engagement with a roll on the opposite side of the machine, said roll having a suitable spindle 50, which protrudes from its mounting devices at the forward end and is equipped Wlth a crown wheel 51. A ratchet 52 on the frame of the machine carries a finger 53, which during the revolution of the ratchet, contacts with the crown wheel, and gives it a step-bystep movement, once in each revolution of the ratchet.

The ratchet is itself revolved one step during each operation of. the feed shaft by means of a finger 54 mounted fast on the paper feed shaft. It is evident that the renewal of carbon paper is accomplished b the revolution of the spindle 50, whic draws the paper across the machine from the roll (Figure l) and that the movement is quite slow, so as to not be wasteful of the carbon paper.

It is believed that the advantages of my invention and its operation will be evident from the above. As noted by way of introduction, the webs of paper having printed forms thereon, will be numbered, in the machine itself, and no fo-rm can be fed without being numbered, nor can the numbering device be operated to stamp more than one number on any form.

The position of the roller 36 controls the timing of the feed shaft release and numbering device operation with relation to the feed shaft operation, and it will be evident that its location will be determined with respect to the. necessities of the feed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In adevice of the character described. the combination of means for feeding paper in definite sections or lengths over a support on which said paper is to receive impressions, and means for numbering each section or length with a consecutive number, said latter means having an enforced operation interdependent upon each operation of the feeding means.

2. In a device of the character described,

the combination of means for feeding paper` in definite sections or lengths over asupport on which said paper is to receive impressions, and means for numbering each section or lengths with a consecutive number, said feeding means having a latching element adapted for release for definite feeding movements, and means inter-connected with said numbering means for controlling the operation of said latching element, whereby a numbering is enforced co-incident with each feeding operation.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of means for feeding paper in definite sections or lengths over a support on which said paperis to receive impressions and means for numbering each section or length with a consecutive number, said latter means having an enforced operation interdependent upon each operation of the feeding means, said feeding device comprising in part means for advancing the numbering device from one number to another.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination of means for feeding paper in definite sections or -lengths over a support on which said paper is to receive impressions, and means for numbering each section or length with a consecutive number, independent operating devices for said feeding and numbering means, and an interlock between said means for enforcing a definite succession of operation of the said independent operating devices.

5. In a device of 4the character described, the combination of means for feeding paper in definite sections or lengths over a support on which said pape-r is to receive impressions, and means for numbering each section or length with a consecutive number` said feeding means having a latching element adapted for release for definite 'feeding movements, and means inter-connected with said numbering means for controlling the operation of said latching element, whereby a numbering is enforced co-iucident with each feeding operation, and means control-led by the feeding device for advancing the numbering device from one number to another.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination of means for feeding paper in definite sections or lengths over a support on which said paper is to receive impressions, and means for numbering each section or length with a consecutive number. independent operating.- devices for said feeding and numbering means, and an interlock between said means for enforcing a definite succession of operations of the said independent operating devices, and an operating mechanism controlled by the paper feeding means for advancing the numbering device from one number to another.

7. In a device of the character described the combination of means for feeding paper in definite sections or lengths over a support on which said paper is to receive 1mpressions, and means for numbering each section or length with a consecutive number, of means controlled by the numbering means for inhibiting movement of the feeding means until thenumbering means is actuated.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination of means for feeding paper in definite sections or lengths over a support on which said paper ais to receive impressions, and means for numbering each section or length with a consecutive number, of means controlled by the numbering means for inhibiting movement of the feeding means until the numbering means is actuated, and means controlled by the feeding means for returning the inhibiting means to operative osition.

9. In a evice of the character described, the combination of means for feeding paper in definite sections or lengths over a support on which said paper is to receive impressions, and means for numbering each section or length with a consecutive number, of means controlled by the numbering mea-ns for inhibiting movement of the feeding means until the numbering means is actuated, a ratchet on the numbering means and devices operated by the feeding means only, for turning said ratchet to change numbers on the numbering means.

10. The combination with a rotary feed device for manifolding devices, of a carbon paper roll, adapted to be revolved to effect a feed of carbon paper, step-by-step mechanism operated by the rotary feed, upon each operation thereof and another step-by-step mechanism between the first step by step and the carbon paper roll, for rotating said roll, whereby a slow advance of carbon paper is obtained.

11. In a device of the character described, a numbering stamp adapted to be manually depressed for stamping a number on a sheet of paper, a rotary feed device for feeding the paper in definite lengths beneath the numbering device at each rotation thereof, and a stop for the rotary feed adapted to be tripped by the depressions of the numbering stamp, whereby an enforced succession of operations is maintained.

12. In a device of the character described, a numbering stamp adapted to be manually depressed for stamping a number on a sheet of paper, a rotar feed device for feeding the paper in de nite lengths beneath the numbering device at' each rotation thereof, and a stop for the rotary feed adapted to be tripped by the depressions of the numbering neemt@ stamp, whereby an enforced succession of operations is maintained, a ratchet on the v depressed for stamping a number on a sheet of paper, a rota feed device for feeding the paper in de nite lengths beneath the numbering device at each rotation thereof, and a stop for the rotary feedadapted to be tripped b the depressions of the numbering stamp, W ereby an enforced succession of operations is maintained, a ratchet on the numbering device and a pawl operated by the rotary feed for actuating said ratchet one step for each rotary feed operation, said feed stop being returned to operative position by rotary feed device during its operation. i

14. In a manifolding device, the combination of a casing, means for feedin through said casing, a writing table, said paper being fed over said table by said feedlng means, and a number printer comprising a counter, and a depressible carrier therefor, said counter being mounted over said writing table, andautomatic means for changing numbers on the number printer each time the paper feeding means is operated but not otherwise.

15. In a manifolding device, the combination of a casing, paper feeding means located at one end of said casing, a writing table, said feeding means adapted to grasp the paper and draw it over the writing table, and a number printer comprising a depressible counter mechanism, and means for mounting said mechanism over the writing table, adjacent the end thereof toward the feeding means and automatic means for changing numbers on the number printer each time the paper feeding means is operated but not otherwise.

16. In a manifolding device, the combination of a casing, paper feeding means, a writing table, said feeding means being adapted to dra-w paper over the table, a depressible counter located over the table for printing numbers on the paper, and means operatively connected to the feeding means for controlling the number change on the counter.

17. In a manifolding device, the combination of a casing, means therein for providing continuous webs of paper, acounter mechanism, a writing tab-le and means for mounting said counter mechanism on the machine so as to be movable to and from the paper located over the writing table, and automatic means for changing numbers on the number printer each time the paper feeding means is operated but not otherwise.

18. In a manifolding device, the combination of a Casing, means therein for providing continuous Webs of paper, a counter mechanism, a Writing table and means for mounting said counter mechanism on the machine so as to be movable to and from the paper located over the Writing table, and means in connection with the paper for carrying through to each web the number printed on the uppermost one and automatic means for changing numbers on the number 10 printer eachtime the paper feeding means is operated but not otherwise.

JOHN Q SHERMAN. 

